Tag Archives: Cambridge

Birthday weekend in Cambridge

Blasdale Home Posted on by

To celebrate my birthday, we decided to spend a couple of nights in our Campervan in Cambridge. Our first stop was in St Neots, parking on the Bedfordshire side of the river Ouse where we had a coffee at the Ambience Café. Rather an insipid Cappuccino.  On then to Cambridge where we were camping at Cambridge Camping and Caravan Club Site in Trumpington. It is well served by buses running during the day every 15 minutes, and in the evening, one an hour until quite late.

We were soon into Cambridge and visited the Fitzwilliam Museum. Rosemary wanted to see a Virginia Woolf exhibition. Unfortunately, the exhibition was not what she wanted. R had failed to read the small print, “An exhibition inspired by her writings” Next, a stop at the Eagle for a beer. We drank in the bar at the back, which is very much themed on American airmen. The walls are covered with signatures and dedications. Next stop was dinner. We chose the Cambridge Chop House and had a good meal. The Chop House is mainly underground. Its basement extends under several of its neighbouring businesses.

Back then to Emmanuel Street to catch the bus back to the campsite.

On Wednesday, after an al fresco breakfast, we again caught the bus into Cambridge, admiring the new Medical research building around Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and the new student flats near the rail hub. Once in Cambridge we had a walk around Caius College, and even visited the LNB (Late Night Bar). No longer the LNB, now a bike shed. The porter knew it had been the LNB.

We then walked on to Kettles Yard which reopened this year after some modifications. An exhibition of Richard Pousette-Dart work was on show. He was a key figure of Abstract Expressionism. Jim Ede, creator of Kettle’s Yard, first met Pousette-Dart in New York in 1940. Of course, we visited the house of Jim Ede, which continues to surprise & delight.

We now walked along side Jesus Green, Midsummer Common and the river, looking at the canal boats and Cambridge Boat Houses. The canal boats appeared to be stocked up with coal for the winter. Spotted the new Gonville and Cauis Boat House, well Google maps did.  Back across Midsummer Common and down King Street. I was telling Rosemary about the King Street Run, and oddly we met a Cambridge graduate several days later wearing a King Street Run tie. The basic objective drinking a pint of ale in seven of the street’s pubs before returning for an eighth in the pub you started. One of the club rules state a penalty pint is awarded for the commission of either of the two Ps, “peeing or puking”. Successful members of the club wore a special navy blue tie decorated with the image of a tankard surmounted by a crown. This tie is also decorated with a ‘P’ for each penalty pint drunk. The tie soon became a highly sought-after item of apparel.

Finally, a pint at the Anchor, overlooking the mill pond, then the University Museum of Zoology where we had a few minutes before chucking out time. Ah well on to the Eagle for another drink before going for my Birthday treat at  the Loch Fyne Restaurant. Yes Rosemary embarrassed my by having a candle placed in my dessert. Then it was back on the bus to the campsite.

Our final day, Thursday, started with a lovely bright morning with a slight frost, but we’d been snug. We visited Grantchester and the Orchard Tea Garden. Another bright and sunny day encouraged us to walk down to the river and admire a couple of punts moored up. You can see where Roger Waters from Pink Floyd found their inspiration for the song ‘Granchester Meadows’.

 

Clare College

Blasdale Home Posted on by

Rosemary and I were invited by Ravi for a meal at Clare College, Cambridge University, where Ravi is a Fellow. On the way to Ely we stopped of at the Emmaus shop which solid “preloved” furniture and goods, where we ate a quick snack lunch.  We checked into the hotel in Ely and walked around the city.  It was Ely Eel festival.  I managed to grab a couple of pints, avoided the eels and listened to a band which was playing outside the Poets House Hotel. Quick change of clothes before meeting up with Ravi to catch the train into Cambridge where we had a preprandial drink at The Eagle.  Quick walk to Clare College where we were to eat at 19.30 in the dining room.  

Today there were no senior fellows in attendance, so Ravi had to host the three MCR members who were also eating at the top table.  The three post graduates were from Germany, Holland and Sheffield.  We chatted over sherry before being summoned to dinner.  We walked through the dining room past the undergraduates and positioned ourselves at the head table.   Ravi read grace, and then we sat and were served dinner.  After dinner was complete, the waitress (college servant) brought a small gong for Ravi to sound.  He duly sounded the gong, dinner was now over and we and the undergraduates could now leave.

After dinner we retired to the SCR and drank some postprandial drinks.  After everyone left we posed for some photographs and left for Ely by taxi.  As we walked to the taxi, we saw the three post graduates  outside in the Clare College court chatting amongst themselves.   Wonder what they were talking about.

The next day we ate breakfast at Poets House Hotel with Ravi who came to join us.  We had a small wander around Ely, visiting the antique centre by the river, before picking up the car and driving back home. 

Caius College Garden Party and Illuminated Caius Choirbook

Blasdale Home Posted on by

Rosemary and I visited Cambridge for the Gonville and Caius Alumni garden party.  This is a thankyou event to those alumni who donate to the college.  Despite high fees paid by undergraduates, their payments only cover half the costs.  When I was a student at Cambridge, tuition costs were fully paid, and I also received a grant for living expenses.  I feel a debt of gratitude which I now repay by donations to Caius college.  This is big business to the college, who have a set of rewards depending on the value of gifts made.

The day was a sunny day, and the city was lively with the Brexit campaign in full swing.  The city was full of those supporting the Remain campaign.  Of course the majority  of those we spoke to at the alumni party were in support of Remain.  Education and research is so bound up with freedom of movement and research grants from the EU. It is no surprise that Cambridge voted to remain. 

The food at the party was as usual excellent.  I have never seen so many prepared Cromer grabs.  Wine and fizz was available in good quantities.  After the congratulatory speeches we hastened to the Cockerell building where the Illuminated Caius Choirbook was on display.  We were also entertained to some singing from the Caius Choirbook and came away with a CD.

Snowy Farr at Cambridge

Blasdale Home Posted on by
Food at Caius College garden party

Food at Caius College garden party

This Saturday we went to Gonville and Caius college for our annual lunch.  This is given to the alumni who contribute some unknown minimum contribution to the college endowment.  This endowment funds the fees of current students attending the university.  At these events those who have given significant sums are mentioned, for instance the  Caian who has placed bestowed his London house, now worth £3.5 million, or the Chinese parents of a student donating a half million to the boat club house funds.  What is known is the menu of  higher donations will get you, a meal with Stephen Hawking (£50,000 better get on this list soon, he must be nearing his use by date), your name engraved into the Benefactors’ Wall in the Great Gate (£1,000,000), portrait hung on the staircase to the College Library (£2,500,000)  Full details of Caius donations are listed here.  There is so much temptation to piss off your heirs and leave all to your  alma mater  (Selina, I am only joking, she raises money from the opposition alumni)

Anyway, we had a great lunch with the usual  lovely grub prepared by the Caius team headed up by the chef who obviously enjoys his own food and we have nick named Ratatouille, the large chef, Gusteau, from the film Ratatouille.  The crab was excellent.  As usual we met up with Andrea and Richard and Chris.  There though does seem to be a noticeable dearth of people from ’72 who try and assuage their guilt of free tuition and student grants

Snowy Farr sculpture

Snowy Farr sculpture

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Now the point of this post, Snowy Farr (Yes he has a wikipedia entry, so famous). While walking around the market place, I saw this rather naff sculpture which had been placed there.  There was no plaque, nothing nearby to describe what the sculpture was for.  For those who had met Snowy Farr is was obvious what the sculpture was about.  Why the secrecy, what was the council hiding, they paid £50,000 for the sculpture, are they embarrassed by it.  Many feel they should be.  There was much criticism that the sculpture was a waste of money, that Snowy would be rolling in his grave, the money could have gone to the causes he collected for.  A lone few said he would appreciate the humor of the sculpture.  Then there was the build quality.  The sculpture was supposed to be maintenance free, but within months it was stained with rust and grime, though those issues had been corrected when i set eyes on it.  Ah well, he was a Cambridge character, who was there when I was at university and I remember him fondly.  I am glad the Cambridge Council honored his name with this sculpture.  To some extent it needs only to exist for the time those who remember him visit the marketplace.

 

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Snowy Farr raised money for charity.  He was a vegetarian, grew all the food he needed on an allotment,  walked into Cambridge to raise money for charity with his menagerie of animals.  He was a regular eccentric always to be seen in market square.  There is an excellent video recording of an interview with Dave Allen.

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Snowy Farr Cambridge Market Place 1975

Gonville and Caius 1972 Ruby reunion.

Blasdale Home Posted on by

This weekend Rosemary and I attended the Ruby reunion of the 1972 Matriculation year of Gonville and Caius.  We decided to make a weekend of the event, and arrived on Saturday.  Went for a punt on the River Cam, heading towards Granchester.  Stopped for lunch at Granchester Meadows, checked the GPS and decided we were only half way to the pubs, so headed back.  Examining my hand, I see I have a blister now.  There was one dastardly man who was challenged by a group on the bank.

You are punting from the wrong end of the punt, Sir.

Ah, I come from the other place he replied.

Supper was in a Thai restaurant near to Harvey Court / Stephen Hawkins building where we were staying for the night.  Afraid is was OK, not excellent.

The Sunday was spent meeting those Ruby alumni, first for coffee in the Stephen Hawking building, then at lunch in the old buildings.  We had a tour of the library where there appeared to be some embarrassing  memorabilia.  The Junior Common Room comment book, and the college directory for our year.

2012-09-16 14.56.362012-09-16 15.29.31

 

Back to Stephen Hawking building to get changed into Black Tie, then church service in the chapel, Champagne reception and evening meal.  We sat with the Old Gits, Richard, Andrea, Norman and Valerie.  Ravi who was coming was unfortunately unable to make  the event.  Good food, lots of wine and fun time.

2012-09-16 19.32.092012-09-16 21.15.58

I am sitting writing this waiting for my plane to Boston, I have 4 days work in Glastonbury CI.  I have caught a latish flight, so don’t expect to be tucked up in bed until midnight, (5am UK time).  Better go and drop my bags at the bah drop and get through security.